Method of entertainment &#34;raise poker&#34;

ABSTRACT

The method of entertainment “Raise Poker” is an invention based on the popular card game that targets gaming establishments. Due to the possibility of purchasing additional cards and raising the bets during play, the game had been made more versatile. The game increases the chances of skilled players at a casino. The use of the method of entertainment in gaming machines that utilize a standard deck of cards makes the game more like real poker. The algorithm and the method of entertainment&#39;s computer program also adapt it for use on the internet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates to a method of entertainment thatincludes a card game and the equipment needed for this card game. Theinvention may be used in gaming establishments, gaming machine halls andon electronic devices that use a monitor.

The method of entertainment “Raise Poker” is an adaptation of poker, oneof the most popular games of chance, for modern casinos, gaming machinesor computers. The program developed for “Raise Poker” is the basis ofthe present invention, allowing for the realization of a poker game withmultiple bet raises not between the players, but between the player onone side and the casino or gaming machine on the other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An established method of entertainment that requires the use of a gamingtable with spaces on the playing field for the implementation of bets, adeck of cards, and a selection of chips of varying value to representbets (RU 2151622, Cl. A 63 F 1/00, 27, Jun. 2000).

An established method of entertainment that requires the use of a gamingtable with spaces on the playing field for a deck of cards as well asthe availability of a selection of chips of varying value (RU 2137521,Cl. A 63 F 1/00, 20, Sep. 1999).

An established method of entertainment that uses a gaming table in theform of a half-circle with a depression cut from the middle of theflat-edged side for the placement of a chip rack with valued chips (RU2139748 Cl. A 63 F 1/06, 1/18, 9/24). This patent also discloses themarkings on the cover of the gaming table, with the definition of boxesfor placing of bets and cards.

One of the latest versions of poker intended for casino use is “RussianPoker” (RU2227754, Cl. A 63 F 1/00, 18, Mar. 2003).

The inadequacies of the given methods of entertainment is their lack ofthe basic and most interesting action in poker—the bluff, when a player,having received weak cards, can force his opponent to surrender bypretending to have a hand with a high poker combination.

The prototype for the method of entertainment “Raise Poker” is the “gameof poker”, based on the popular card game, which uses a standard cardtable in the form of a half-circle with a depression cut from the middleof the flat-edged side for the placement of a chip rack with valuedchips. The “game of poker” uses a cover on a game table with spaces forthe game field, a standard deck of cards, and valued chips of varyingworth (U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553, Cl. A63 F 1/00, 06, Jun. 1989).

The analogy to the “game of poker” is imperfect, however. That thismethod of entertainment's appeal is reduced because it is impossible inthe “game of poker” for the player to change cards or choose playingcombinations on his own. In order to win in that game, the player can'tcount on his mind, only on his luck.

An established electronic gaming machine that relates to entertainmentand card games (RU 2060756, Cl. A 63 F 9/22, 27, May 1996).

The inadequacy of gaming machines based on receiving winningcombinations stems from the use of a random number generator in themachine, which creates a chance for the player to question thereliability of its randomness. Players would prefer to play with amachine in which a traditional deck of cards was used in the place of arandom event generator.

An established strategic computer game comprises a computer with amonitor and with the means to load information from the user of thecomputer system and the means of displaying an array of elements on thescreen (RU 2099782, Cl. G 06 F 19/00, 20, Dec. 1997). The method ofdisplaying the computer game to the player, in which the playing fieldis projected onto the monitor, is also described in this source.

An established method of conducting electronic games for cash wagersusing an electronic device with a monitor (RU 2162359, Cl. A 63 F 9/24,27, Jan. 2001).

The inadequacy of preexisting computer games and similar playingmachines stems from their limited degree of compelling qualities.Distribution of these games is insufficient and it is difficult to usethem on a local or global set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical results of the proposed invention enhance the functionalcapabilities and absorbing qualities of the game. A casino can tobroaden the assortment of games available to its clients by using astandard playing table for the method of entertainment “Raise Poker” andby equipping itself with modern electronic devices. Furthermore, thepopularity of poker in many countries of the world increases theprospects of the widespread distribution of the present game in casinos.This marks the first time in a game of poker against the casino that theplayer and the dealer have the chance to alternately and repeatedlyraise the stakes, making it the most thrilling of all variations ofpoker.

These results in the method of entertainment are achieved by, accordingto claim 1 of the invention's formula, using a gaming table 11 (FIG. 1),a chip rack 5 (FIG. 1) a table cover with an outline of the playingfield 6 (FIG. 1), a programmed calculating device 2 (FIG. 1), a digitalkeyboard 3 (FIG. 1), a monitor 1 (FIG. 1), chips and cards with abarcode that can be read with an optical-electrical instrument 4(FIG. 1) on the table 11.

One or several players make cash wagers by using chips, and the dealerdeals cards, regulates the turn of the game, carries out the calculatingdevice's orders, as shown on the monitor, and settles up with theplayers.

The players' places are marked on the game table's cover, and each placeconsists of a chip counter 10 and three geometrical figures:

-   -   a circle 7 (FIG. 1) for the dealer's wagers    -   a square 8 (FIG. 1) for cards and chips for the purchase of        additional cards    -   an ellipse 9 (FIG. 1) for the ante and for the player to raise        his bets

There is a card counter (FIG. 1-4) on the dealer's side of the table,set aside for the dealer, which provides information about the cards tothe calculating device, which is located in a metal cavity under thetable cover.

There is a digital keyboard 3 (FIG. 1) on one side of the chip rack, andit is used to enter commands into the calculating device.

A deck of cards consisting of 52 cards, four suits of 13 cards each, isused in the game.

The dealer deals five cards face down to the players and himself. Eachcard intended for the dealer is passed over the card counter, which,having determined the card, issues a signal confirming this. Theplayer's goal is to collect a poker combination stronger than thedealer's. Before every round the player may purchase additional cards bypaying a sum equal to the initial ante for each new card. When theplayer has finished his purchases, which are used to strengthen hisplaying combination in his hand of cards, he either folds or increaseshis bet by placing his chips in the chip counter positioned in front ofeach player.

The counter transfers the data to the calculating device and the programcomputes the information about the dealer's cards and the player'swager. A decision appears on the monitor which the dealer is obligatedto carry out. There are three possible decisions: folding, seeing, orraising the wager.

Raising the wager is a bet that consists of two sums: the first sum isequal to the last wager made by the opponent and the second sum is animmediate increase of the wager, or a raise. Seeing is making a wagerequal to the size of the opponent's last raise.

If the calculating device determines that the dealer should get out ofthe game, or fold, then the dealer pays the player only the initialante. If the calculating device decides to see or raise the bet, thenthe dealer places the necessary number of chips from the rack into thecircle. The calculating device makes this decision with every playerremaining at the table individually. Those players whose raise thecalculating device decides to see wait for the end of the game with theother players. Only the players whom the calculating device has raisedcontinue to play. Each of them can fold, see the dealer or raise him. Ifthe player or the dealer folds, the chips bet by party that folded arelost.

The game continues until someone folds or for as long as all of theraised bets are not equal. After that happens, the dealer compares thehands of the remaining players, one at a time, and himself anddetermines the winning and losing bets.

If the dealer's hand of cards has a weaker combination then the player'shand, then he pays out the winning bets, allowing the player to take thechips from the circle. If the dealer's combination is stronger than theplayer's, then the dealer returns all his wagers to the rack and takesthe losing chips from the player's chip counter and ellipse.

The maximum initial ante and the maximum size of a raise by the playeror dealer can be limited by the administration of the playingestablishment.

The table for the method of entertainment “Raise Poker” can be used in amore simple fashion, without including chip counters. On such a table,there is a card reader for the dealer 4 (FIG. 1) and a digital keyboard3 (FIG. 1) on the dealer's end of the table, and it is used by thedealer to enter the relationship between the initial ante of the playerand his raises.

If the casino isn't a part of the game, and the dealer only shuffles anddeals the cards, enforces the rules and collects a commission, then thetable may be prepared in the shape of an oval 17 (FIG. 4). On such atable, the players' places have chip counters and three geometricfigures for bets positioned on the cloth table cover in a semicircle. Ifthe casino is not taking part in the game, “Raise Poker” is playedwithout a card counter. One of the players can act in place of thedealer, and can look at his own cards and make the decision on how toplay on his own.

One essential innovation of “Raise Poker” is that it can be used in agaming machine with standard paper or plastic cards. This means themethod of entertainment can exist with the help of a playing machine 19(FIG. 5) that comprises a frame 20, electronic equipment, a calculatingdevice that directs the sequence of the machine actions andcorresponding winning and losing wagers, a monitor 21 (FIG. 5) forshowing the balance and the turn of the game, a playing panel withcommand keys, as well as a slot for tokens 27 and currency 28 that cancalculate their size, value and number, adapting for the subsequentpayout of tokens 34 as well as cash 33 (FIG. 5). The machine uses decksof paper or plastic cards, consisting of 52 cards with four suits of 13cards each, for the game.

There is a control panel with functional keys 29, 30 (FIG. 5) thattransmits the corresponding commands into the calculating device. Thereis a status line 22 (FIG. 5) on the monitor, on which the amount ofcredits, the player's balance from the beginning of the game, and theresults of both the last and current rounds of the game are displayed.After every turn, the size of the wagers and the name of the player'sbest playing combination are displayed on the monitor for the player'sinformation. A card-shuffling mechanism is used in order to insure therandom placement of the cards in the machine.

Inside the machine, behind a transparent screen, there are two rows ofbins, and each bin is the size of a card. There are five bins for themachine hand 24 (FIG. 5) and below that are seven bins for the player'shand 26. There also is a card-distributing mechanism that consists oftwo trays for the cards 23, 25 (FIG. 5) and moves with the help of anengine and a belt. The lower tray 25 distributes cards in five of theseven bins for the player's hand. In the upper tray 23, five cardsremain face down and are not yet distributed into the bins.

Before any move by the player, the machine can add additional cards tothe five cards for a predetermined sum. The distributing mechanismplaces new cards from the shuffling mechanism into the lower tray andthen into the bins.

From there the game continues just as it would at a casino table.

After the player has made his decision or the calculating device hasclosed bidding, the machine's distributing mechanism places its cardsface up in the five bins of the top row, representing the machine'shand. An optical-logical system is used to determine the cards' suit andface value and to compare the two hands, in the top and bottom rows.With the help of a calculating device, the machine determines thewinning hand. If it is the player's hand, the machine pays out hiswinnings, changing the data on the status line of the machine's monitor.The machine accompanies the game with musical melodies, sounds and videoeffects.

The machine may be produced so that several players can play at once, inwhich case every player has his own monitor and command keys, while theplaying combinations in the players' hands are compared with the playingcombination in the machine hand alone.

The use of “Raise Poker” in a gaming machine with electronicrepresentations of the cards is explained in greater detail below.

The method of entertainment “Raise Poker” that uses the help of anelectronic device with a monitor renders the possibility for the user toplay in a comfortable place. For that, the electronic device uses aprogram that formulates a hand of cards based on a random numbergenerator. It can be used in games with multiple players by programmingthe method of entertainment for use on a local set or on the internet.

These goals for the method of entertainment are articulated in claim 34of the invention's formula. They rely on an electronic device with amonitor 34 (FIG. 6) to conduct the game, based on data analysis and theentered commands, via a computer program that is founded on thealgorithm of the game (FIG. 8). An image of the playing field 36, chipsand electronic playing cards 37 (FIG. 6) are formulated on the monitor.A keyboard 40, 41 is used to enter the corresponding commands into theelectronic device. The monitor displays the wagers placed by the player.A random number generator is used to ensure the random order of theelectronic cards used by the device.

During every round of the game, the electronic device reformulates thestatus line on the monitor 35 (FIG. 6). The status line shows the game'scurrent balance, the total sum won or lost since the beginning of thegame and the results of the current and last rounds of the game. Theelectronic device, using a random number generator, formulates the imageof two hands of cards on the monitor 37, 38. One represents the player'shand and one represents the dealer's hand.

The game is conducted according to the same rules as at a casino'stable, except that the electronic device fulfills the role of thedealer. It conducts the game, makes the necessary moves, uncovers thewinning or losing wagers by comparing the player's and the electronicdealer's card combinations, and is responsible for settling up with theplayer after every round of play.

It is possible to produce an electronic device for “Raise Poker” uponwhich several players can play at the same time. Each player must havehis own monitor and a device to enter commands. Significantly moreplayers can play simultaneously on a local set or on the internet. Whenplaying on sets, it is possible for the participants to function in thecapacity of a dealer.

When using a monitor that responds to touch, the electronic device hasthe following functional buttons on the screen to enter thecorresponding command into the computer: “Play”, “Raise”, “Cancel”,“Repeat”, “Buy”, “Bet”, “Payout” “Fold” and others.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and the benefits of the invention are described with linksto the corresponding drawings, which use the preferred variations of theembodiments, in agreement with the invention:

FIG. 1—A casino gaming table for the proposed method of entertainment“Raise Poker” with a chip rack, chip counter, the dealer's card readerand a monitor.

FIG. 2—A casino table cover for “Raise Poker” with the frames of theplaying field and places for the players.

FIG. 3—A chip counter, mounted on every playing space at the table,immediately in front of the player.

FIG. 4—A gaming table for “Raise Poker” for games in which the playersplay amongst themselves, when the casino is not party to the game.

FIG. 5—A gaming machine “Raise Poker” which uses standard paper orplastic cards and accepts money.

FIG. 6—An electronic device with a monitor that allows for theactivation of the buttons by touching the screen.

FIG. 7—A portable electronic device with a monitor for the realizationof the method of entertainment “Raise Poker”.

FIG. 8—A scheme that shows the basic algorithm of the electronic methodof entertainment “Raise Poker”.

FIG. 1 is an example of a table 11 set up for the method ofentertainment “Raise Poker” used in a casino. The game is conducted onthe same type of table as in Blackjack or “Caribbean Poker”, prepared aseither a half-circle or half a polygon. The game table can be placed atan ordinary height for typical chairs or raised higher to accommodatethe stools sometimes used in a casino when the dealer works at a tablestanding.

FIG. 2 represents the casino table cover 6 with the frames for one ofthe variations of the playing field used to conduct the game. Thisvariation is prepared for a half-circle card table. The marked cover ofthe game table is stretched on specifically for that table, fortifiedwith metal clamps and placed on a semicircular table. The cover may bemade from cloth, wool, cotton, synthetic fabric, natural or syntheticleather, or other light industrial products. The coloring on the markedcover for the game table may produced by a variety of productionmethods.

FIG. 3 represents the chip counter 12, mounted on the table top 15 atevery playing station in front of the player. When the player raises hiswager, he places his chips in the semicircular depression of the counter14 with a glass lens 13. The length of the depression corresponds to thetotal thickness of 20 chips placed in a stack, and the diameter is equalto the diameter of the chips. The counter's optical electricalinstrument 16 transfers the data to the calculating device 2 (FIG. 1),and a program interprets the given information about the player's wagerin conjunction with the dealer's cards. A decision appears on themonitor 1 (FIG. 1), and the dealer is required to carry it out.

FIG. 4 represents the gaming table 17 for “Raise Poker” for games inwhich the players play amongst themselves, when the casino doesn'tparticipate in the game. Up to six people can play at such a table. Itis used if the gaming establishment is not a participant, but rather anorganizer of the game. The representative of the gaming establishment isnot a part of the game. He enforces the rules of the game, collects acommission and may shuffle and deal the cards. This form of “RaisePoker” can be played without the use of a card reader. One of theplayers can serve as a dealer, and he can look at his own cards and makethe playing decisions on his own.

FIG. 5 represents a “Raise Poker” gaming machine 19 which uses standardpaper or plastic cards and accepts money.

FIG. 6 represents an electronic device 34 with the image of the playingfield of the method of entertainment “Raise Poker” as well as the statusbar that the player sees during the game. The monitor may be producedusing Tough Screen technology, which uses switches activated not throughkeys but by pressing a finger against the screen on the image of thebuttons.

FIG. 7 represents a portable electronic device 42 with a monitor, withthe programming necessary for “Raise Poker” written into its computerchip. This device allows the player to use the game in any place theplayer finds comfortable.

FIG. 8 represents the scheme of the basic algorithm of the programmingused in the electronic devices for the realization of the method ofentertainment “Raise Poker”. Steps for processing the data representedin FIG. 8:

1. Initial position of the status bar.

2. Acceptance of the initial bet, dealing five cards each.

3. Purchase of a sixth card in the player's hand.

4. Having deducted payment for the purchase, the player is dealt a sixthcard.

5. Purchase of a seventh card in the player's hand.

6. Having deducted payment for the purchase, the player is dealt aseventh card.

7. The player raises the stakes.

8. The electronic dealer raised the stakes earlier.

9. The player sees the bet.

10. The player's bet is raised.

11. The player folds.

12. The electronic dealer raises the stakes.

13. The electronic dealer sees the bet.

14. The electronic dealer folds.

15. The electronic dealer raises the stakes.

16. The electronic dealer's cards are turned face-up, the current roundis settled, and the status bar is modified accordingly.

17. The player continues to play.

18. Payout of the money remaining in the player's account and the end ofthe game.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE CURRENT INVENTION

According to claim 1 of the invention's formula, the method ofentertainment should use a gaming table 11 (FIG. 1), a chip rack 5 (FIG.1), a table cover with the dimensions of the playing field 6 (FIG. 2), aprogrammed calculating device 2 (FIG. 1), a digital keyboard 3 (FIG. 1),a monitor 1 (FIG. 1), cards with a barcode that can be read with anoptical-electrical instrument 4 (FIG. 1) playing chips and a chipcounter 10 (FIG. 1), embedded into the table (FIG. 3).

All players at the table play against the casino, as represented by thedealer. One or more players make cash wagers using chips. The dealershuffles and deals the cards, controls the moves in the game, carriesout the instructions on the monitor as indicated by the calculatingdevice, placing bets calculated with the assistance of a program, andsettles up with the players. On the cover of the playing table there arespaces defined for players, each of which consists of an electronic chipcounter 10 (FIG. 1) embedded in the table and three geometric figures:

-   -   a circle for the dealer's wagers 7 (FIG. 1)    -   a square for cards and the chips used for purchasing additional        cards 8 (FIG. 1)    -   an ellipse for the ante and for raising the player's bet 9 (FIG.        1)

There is a card counter 4 attached under the table cover that transfersinformation about the cards held by the dealer to the calculating device2. To enter commands into the calculating device, there is a digitalkeyboard 3 next to the chip rack.

The game uses a deck of cards consisting of 52 cards of four suits of 13cards each. The dealer deals five face-down cards to each of the playersand himself. The dealer places each card dealt to himself over the cardcounting device 4 that, after determining the card, confirms it with asound.

The player's goal is to gather a poker combination stronger than thedealer's and, by using optimal wagers, play the game in such a way that,upon receiving such a hand, it is possible to win more and lose less.Each player can receive two hands of cards. In order to do so, he mustoccupy two playing stations and play two antes, placing them on theellipses. As long as the player has not made a decision about thepurchase of cards in the first hand, he is not allowed to look at thecards in his second hand.

Before the first round, the player may purchase one and then a secondadditional card. He must pay a sum equal to the ante for each card. Whenthe player makes a decision about strengthening the playing combinationin his hand, he either folds or raises the stakes by placing his chipson the depressed chip counter positioned at each playing station.

The player must use chips of equal value for the ante and for raisingthe stakes by placing chips in the chip counter. Raises may not be anylarger than ten times the ante. The chip counter transfers the data tothe calculating device, and its program interprets the receivedinformation about the dealer's cards and the player's wager, and itsdecision about what the dealer should do appears on the monitor. Thisdecision can lead to three possible actions for the dealer: folding,seeing, or raising the bet made by the player. If the bet is raised, ineffect two sums need to be placed: the first one is equal to the lastraise by the opponent (meaning to see that bet), and the second sum isthe raise. The sum of the raise can not be less than the sum necessaryfor seeing the bet.

If the calculating device tells the dealer to exit the game, or fold,then the dealer pays the player only the ante. If the calculating devicetells the dealer to see the bet, then the dealer places chips from therack in a sum equal to the player's bet in the circle. The dealer's betis equal to the player's bet, and this signifies the end of bidding withthe given player. If the calculating device tells the dealer to raisethe bet, the dealer places the stated amount of chips in the circle andit becomes the player's turn to make a decision. If the player doesn'tfold, he moves his chips located in the counter onto the ellipse,freeing a place for his new bet.

The calculating device makes the same such decisions with each of theplayers remaining in the game. Any players that the calculating devicesaw but did not raise wait for the end of the game with the otherplayers. Only those players with whom the calculating device counteredwith a raise continue to play. Each of them can fold, see the bet orraise it. The following raise can not be less than the last raise thatthe opponent made.

If either the dealer or the player folds, the chips bet by him are lost.The game continues until someone folds or until all the raises have notbeen seen and called. After that, the dealer compares his hand with thehands of the players in order, and uncovers the winning or losing bets.The generally accepted playing combinations, from weakest to strongest,are: a pair, two pair, three of a kind, a straight, a flush, a fullhouse, four of a kind, a straight flush and a royal flush.

The superiority of combinations that are equal to each other isdetermined by the combination with the highest card in it.

The cards, in ascending order, are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K,A.

When the cards in a combination are equal, superiority is determined bythe hand with the highest card not included in the combination. If allthe cards are equal, the game is a draw, and the chips are returned tothe player and the dealer.

If the combination in the dealer's hand is weaker than the player's, hepays out the winning bet, moving the chips from the circle to theplayer. If the dealer's combination is stronger than the player's, thenthe dealer returns all his chips representing his bet to the rack andcollects the player's losing chips in the chip counter and on theellipse.

The maximum size of bets may be limited by the administration of thegaming establishment by altering the programming of the calculatingdevice.

The player puts his ante on the ellipse again in order to participate inthe next round.

The monitor on the table can have more than just information pertainingto the turn of the game.

It can also contain any other information useful to the play, forexample announcements from the casino about various lotteries, drawings,tournaments, etc.

There are tables using a simpler version, which exclude the monitor andthe players' chip counters. On such tables, there is a counter on thedealer's side for reading his cards 4 (FIG. 1) and a digital keyboard 3(FIG. 1). The dealer only types in information about the relationshipbetween the players' ante and the amount he raises the bet.

If the casino isn't a part of the game, the method of entertainment“Raise Poker” can be played on an oval table 17 (FIG. 4) without a cardcounter. One of the players serves as the dealer, and can look at hisown cards and make playing decisions on his own.

In claim 21 of the invention's formula, the method of entertainment“Raise Poker” is described as existing with the assistance of a gamingmachine. The machine, which uses either paper or plastic cards, providesa higher level of trust for the player.

A gaming machine for playing “Raise Poker” 19 (FIG. 5) consists of thefollowing components:

1. A metal frame 20 (FIG. 5).

2. An electronic machine inside the frame.

3. A calculating device that directs the consistent actions of themachine and its corresponding bets, both winning and losing.

4. A monitor for displaying the balance and turn of the game 21 (FIG.5).

5. A playing panel with a command keyboard 29, 30 (FIG. 5).

6. An adjustable armrest for the players' arms 31.

7. A token collector, for paying for the game 27 (FIG. 5).

8. A currency collector 28 (FIG. 5).

9. A card-shuffling mechanism built inside the frame.

10. A card-distributing mechanism 23, 25 (FIG. 5).

11. An optical-electrical system for reading the cards.

12. A device for currency payouts 32 (FIG. 5).

13. A device for token payouts 33 (FIG. 5).

All the blocks, mechanisms and devices are located in the body of themachine that is the size of a standard gaming machine. The majority ofthe parts are already used in card games and machines, but theircombination forming the machine is novel. Only the card-readingmechanism is not already in use.

For directing the corresponding command into the electronic device fromthe command panel, there are two rows of functional keys 19-21.

In the bottom row 30 (FIG. 5):

-   -   “Play”—for beginning the game and for pausing the game by        pressing it again.    -   “Fold”—to end the hand.    -   “See”—to see the bet (the sum of the last raise).    -   “Raise”—to raise the size of the bet.    -   “Cancel”—to cancel the last bet.    -   “Payout”—to receive the remainder of the balance.

In the top row 29 (FIG. 5):

-   -   “Repeat”—to repeat the ante of the last round of play.    -   “New Card”—to purchase a sixth or seventh card.    -   “Pass”—to pass and let the dealer play.    -   “Bet”—to place an ante.    -   “Options”—to make allowed changes within the game's parameters.

There is an arm rest 31 (FIG. 5) on the machine panel, below the keys,to be used during the game as an arm support. It may be adjusted byseveral centimeters according to the player's preferences.

A status bar is located on the machine monitor 21 (FIG. 5), upon whichthe game's current balance is displayed, as well as the amount won orlost from the start of play and the number of rounds played. The betsplaced by the player and the dealer are represented on the images of thefour FIG. 22 (FIG. 5)—a circle, a square an ellipse and a rectangle. Themonitor illuminates the player's best playing combination at every movein the game. When the dealer's cards are uncovered, it also highlightsthe dealer's combination.

The game is conducted according to the rules used in “Raise Poker” forcasinos. The machine is controlled by a program based on the basicalgorithm of the game (FIG. 8).

There are two rows of bins, one for the player's hand (seven bins 26,FIG. 5) and one for the machine 14 (five bins 24, FIG. 5), behind theglass screen of the machine, located in the most convenient place forthe player to observe the game moves. Inside the frame, a mechanismshuffles the cards and places five cards in the lower tray 25 (FIG. 5),representing the player's cards. The tray is built slightly larger thanthe size of a card and moves with the help of a directional belt,similar to the way a printer moves an ink cartridge. The traydistributes face-up cards to the player's five bins. The machine's handis placed in the upper tray 23 (FIG. 5), but the cards are not turnedface-up in the bins. If the player buys a sixth card, he presses thecorresponding key on the machine's panel, and the new card is dealt fromthe distributing mechanism, placed in the player's tray and from therelowered into the sixth bin. The same happens if the player purchases aseventh card.

When the player has made all the decisions in this turn of the game, themachine card-reading mechanism places the cards in the bins for themachine hand with the help of the top tray 23 (FIG. 5). An opticalsystem that can determine the suit and face value of the cards comparesthe two hands, the computer determines the winner and, if it is theplayer, pays out his winnings. The player's information is updated onthe monitor's status bar.

If the player wants to finish the game, in order to receive hisremaining money and winnings, he presses the “Payout” button. The playerreceives tokens or money, depending on which he has been playing with.

The game is accompanied by musical and video effects.

A possible construction of the “Raise Poker” machine includes a playingfield that consists of several places for players. In this type ofmulti-place machine several players can play at once. Each player hashis own monitor and control keys. The playing combinations in the handsof the players are compared only with the combination in the machinehand.

In Claim 34 of the invention's formula, the method of entertainment usesan electronic device with a monitor 34 (FIG. 6), in which:

-   -   the management, data analysis and the fulfillment of user        commands take place with the help of a computer program written        on a readable disk,    -   the introduction of information into the electronic device is        realized by, at a minimum, one means of transfer,    -   a random number generator is used,    -   an electronic deck of playing cards is used,    -   an image of an electronic playing field is formulated on the        monitor,    -   chips or collected points are reflected on the game field,    -   the game is guided by the basic algorithm (FIG. 8).

The game's objective is to raise the stakes high enough to require theelectronic dealer to fold, or to have a stronger combination of cardsthan that of the dealer's. The player makes bets and moves usingbuttons, and the electronic device projects two hands of cards.Depending on which cards were received, the device shows the bestcombination in the player's hand 38 (FIG. 6) and in the electronicdealer's hand 37 (FIG. 6) and illuminates the winning or losing bets.

One effective realization of “Raise Poker” is connected to theconstruction of the electronic playing machine with a liquid crystalmonitor.

The game uses video and sound effects. During every round of the game,the monitor shows the bets, located on four geometric FIG. 36 (FIG. 6),the player's cards 38 and the dealer's cards 37. Under the player'scards on the monitor, there are two rows of command keys 40, 41 with thename of every function on each one. Any keys that are usable at a givenmoment are brighter, thereby helping the player make his decision. Ifthe machine's monitor uses Tough Screen technology, the buttons can beactivated by touching their image on the screen 39.

There is a status bar 35 (FIG. 6) on the monitor of the electronicdevice in which the main parameters of the game are posted:

the current financial status of the player (his credit)

-   -   the sum won or lost from the beginning of the game    -   the number of the game's current round    -   the amount bet on the current round    -   the results of the current round

The player makes his decisions by pressing the relevant button locatedunder the monitor. Each button has a label.

Betting in the current round of play includes two fields: the initialbet on the ellipse and raised bet on the rectangle. The result of thecurrent round is at first equal to zero, and during the process of theround may become negative when the payment for the purchase ofadditional cards is taken from the player. The final value of thisparameter is formulated when the dealer's cards are reckoned, at theevery end of the round.

The scenario that plays out in a single round looks like the followingexample. At the beginning of the round, the player makes his initial betand presses the button “Play”. The player's five face-up cards appear onthe monitor and the dealer's five cards appear face down. The face-upcards of the player are ordered: they are placed left to right in orderof their value. If, for example, the player has a pair, then those cardsmaking up the pair are placed on the left (as the most valuable). If theplayer has a Full House, those cards that make up the three-of-a-kindare placed on the left and the cards that make up the pair are placed onthe right. The name of the corresponding playing combination isilluminated next to the player's cards. Three buttons are activated onthe screen at this moment: “Fold”, “Bet” and “New Card”. By using thesebuttons, the player can choose one of the decisions: stop playing thegame and lose the ante, raise the wager, or buy a sixth, and then aseventh, card.

The development of the game after raising the bet is dealt with below.If the player folds, then the dealer's cards are not turned over and theround is quickly concluded. If the player purchases additional cards,then the corresponding exchange takes place on the monitor and the cardsare subsequently placed in order again, and next to the cards the nameof the new combination appears. In addition to that, the payment for theadditional card is taken from the player, and it is quickly displayed onthe status bar. The simple payout for purchasing each card is equal tothe ante. After the purchase of cards, two buttons remain activated onthe screen: “Fold” and “Bet”. The player again indicates his choice. Ifhe folds, as stated before, it is considered the end of the round ofplay.

If the player sees a prospect for winning, then he may raise the wagers.Now it becomes the electronic dealer's turn to make a decision. It canfold, in which case the player wins a sum equal to the ante. It can seethe player, making a bet equal to the player's raise, in which case themonitor shows all five of the dealer's cards, determines their value anddisplays the name of the dealer's combination. After that, the player'scombination is compared with the dealer's combination. All the bet moneyis won by the one who had a higher poker combination. If thecombinations and values of the cards are equal, then the game is a drawand all of the player's wagers are returned to him.

The electronic dealer can raise the player's bet, meaning that it seesthe bet and then raises it. In this case, it again becomes the player'sturn to make a bet. After that the player has three possible decisions:fold, see, or raise the bet. The game continues as long as the playerand electronic dealer continue to raise the stakes.

The ante and the sum of raises for both the player and the dealer shouldbe limited by the administration of the gaming establishment. Forexample, the sum of the raise can be limited to ten times the size ofthe ante. At the end of the game the machine computes the results,changes the status bar and the round is over.

If the player wishes to continue to play, he should ante up another bet,and begin a new round. If the player wants to end the game, he presses“Payout” and receives the remainder of his money and winnings.

One possible construction of the gaming machine “Raise Poker” allows forseveral players to play at once. Each player has a monitor and his owncontrol keys. The playing combinations in the electronic hand of cardsare compared with the machine hand of cards alone.

If the method of entertainment “Raise Poker” is realized using a mobileelectronic device 42 (FIG. 7), the program may be written with SBISmicro schemes, installed in the device or on a PC card readable by thedevice. When using a mobile electronic device with a program writtenwith SBIS micro schemes or on a flash card, the game can be playedanywhere, including on a transportation system. It is possible to maypayouts when the player wins, by having the organizer of the game paythe player's winnings, equal to the sum displayed on status bar, savedonto the microchip's memory.

To enter information into a mobile electronic device, there is a panelwith functional keys similar to the keyboard on the gaming machinedescribed above.

The electronic device displays the image of four shapes—a circle, asquare, an ellipse and a rectangle—on the monitor. The bets made by theplayer and by the electronic dealer appear on these figures.

The electronic dealer begins to deal cards, one at a time, to theplayer's hand and its own. The player's cards are all dealt face up, andthe electronic dealer's cards are all face down.

The game is conducted according to the same rules that regulate “RaisePoker” in a casino. The computer game “Raise Poker” exists with the helpof a computer system that computes the data, a monitor, and a means ofentering information from the user into the system. Any computer systemor another secure apparatus that includes a monitor can be used for thecomputer game “Raise Poker”. The algorithm of the game is based on theterms of the method of entertainment “Raise Poker”, and it contains aprogram, written in a programming language. The program is saved on acompact disc or different type of data holder.

The preferred variant of this embodiment of the game is a computerprogram, saved on a compact disc, and compatible with a home computer.For example, an optimal computer for “Raise Poker” includes amotherboard with a Pentium processor, at least 1 megabit of RAM, a harddrive with several gigabits of memory, a sound card and color monitor.

An image of the playing field, the functional buttons and the chips forplacing bets are projected onto the monitor. An electronic deck of 52cards is used for the game. The rules and sequence of action in themethod of entertainment “Raise Poker” for the computer is analogous tothose used in a casino.

The player can determine the size of the ante, as well as buy additionalcards, raise the stakes, or fold by using the keys on a standardkeyboard. Players can use commands that are activated from the image ofbuttons on the monitor. A status bar is located on the monitor thatshows the current balance of the game, as well as the sum won or lostfrom the beginning of the game and the results of both the previousround and current round of play. The game is accompanied by sound andvideo effects.

The method of entertainment “Raise Poker” which can be played at aninternet casino or at a local set is the same as on a computer, with theone difference that at the internet casino and the local set severalplayers can play together at the same time. The game can be for free, orfor real or virtual money. In this case, a directing program for acasino server or a client program for remote computers is used. Theplaying field is formulated on the player's computer monitor with theclient program and, at an internet casino, the player's balance isformulated on the status bar, in accordance to the size of the player'saccount.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention can be used in casinos, gaming machine halls, computers,on the internet and on local sets.

The present description consists of concrete examples for therealization of the invention with the help of a playing table, a gamingmachine and an electronic device with a monitor; however, they do notinclude all the possible variations of realizing the method ofentertainment “Raise Poker” that fall under coverage of the protectionfor the definite scope of the invention's claims.

1-41. (canceled)
 42. An arrangement for a card game between at least oneplayer and a dealer, where the player and the dealer may in turn raisewagers multiple times, the arrangement comprising: a game table; a chiprack; a table cover with an outline of a game field; an electronic cardreader to determine dealer's cards; special playing cards readable bythe electronic card reader; a chip counter on the table in front ofevery player to determine size of player's wager; a calculating deviceto analyze incoming data and to make playing decisions using a gamealgorithm and a computer program designed for the game; and a monitor todisplay playing decisions received from the calculating device for thedealer to carry out.
 43. The arrangement of claim 42, comprising adigital keyboard on the dealer's side for conducting data and commandsinto the calculating device.
 44. The arrangement of claim 42, comprisingspecific chips, wherein quantity of the chips is determined by the chipcounter and data is transferred to the calculating device.
 45. Thearrangement of claim 42, wherein the monitor is placed on top of thetable.
 46. The arrangement of claim 42, wherein the calculating deviceis fastened in a special cavity under the table cover.
 47. Thearrangement of claim 42, wherein the card reader is built into thetable.
 48. The arrangement of claim 42, wherein the card reader is anoptoelectronic reader, which transfers data to the calculating devicewhen the dealer moves the cards dealt to himself across the card reader.49. The method of entertainment including a card game between at leastone player and dealer, wherein the player and the dealer take turns inraising wagers, the method comprising: at least one player making betsby means of placing chips on a chip counter, with the chip countertransferring data including the size of player's wager to a calculatingdevice; the dealer dealing cards and moving the cards dealt to himselfacross an optoelectronic card reader to transfer card data to thecalculating device; and the calculating device analyzing incoming dataand making playing decisions using a game algorithm and a computerprogram designed for the game.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein thedealer conducts the game according to the game algorithm and the playingdecisions made by the calculating device.
 51. The method of claim 49,wherein the player may purchase an additional card for a predeterminedprice before his next move.
 52. The method of claim 49, wherein eachplayer chooses one of three options for continuing the game, the optionsbeing fold, see the bet, and raise the bet.
 53. The method of claim 52,wherein the calculating device makes one of three decisions, which thedealer is required to follow, the decision being: fold, see the bet, orraise the bet.
 54. The method of claim 53, wherein when the dealer orthe player chooses fold, he looses the bet.
 55. The method of claim 49,comprising the player raising his bet by placing his chips in adepressed chip counter.
 56. The method of claim 49, wherein thecalculating device projects its decision for the dealer onto a monitorin regards to every player in the game.
 57. The method of claim 49,wherein the calculating device makes a decision to either see or raisethe bet, and the dealer places a number of chips from a rack onto a gametable, the number of chips being determined by the calculating device.58. The method of claim 49, wherein only the players that thecalculating device saw and raised continue to play.
 59. The method ofclaim 49, wherein the players to whom the calculating device respondedby seeing their bet wait for the end of the game with players who remainin the game.
 60. The method of claim 49, wherein a round of the gamecontinues until the final raise is made.
 61. The method of claim 49,wherein, when the bets are equal, the dealer determines the winning andlosing bets by comparing his hand with the hands of the players.
 62. Themethod of claim 49, wherein the value of maximum bet and maximum size ofa raise made in the game are limited.
 63. The method of claim 49,wherein the dealer enters ratio between player's ante and player's raiseinto the calculating device using a digital keyboard.
 64. The method ofclaim 49, wherein the players take turns serving as the dealer againstall other players, and the dealer makes his own decisions in the gamenot relying on the calculating device.
 65. A gaming machine for a cardgame between at least one player and a dealer wherein the player and thedealer take turns in raising wagers, the gaming machine comprising: anelectronic device containing a game algorithm; a calculating device toreceive data and control the game; a monitor to display balance andturns; a gaming panel with functional buttons; a token and currencycollector, and an algorithm for paying out tokens or currency.
 66. Thegaming machine according to claim 65, comprising paper or plasticplaying cards.
 67. The gaming machine of claim 65, comprising acard-shuffling mechanism to ensure random ordering of the cards.
 68. Thegaming machine of claim 65, comprising two rows of bins, includingplayer's bins for a player's hand and machine bins for a machine's hand,the bins located beneath a transparent screen in the machine, whereineach bin is the size of a card.
 69. The gaming machine of claim 65,comprising a mechanism for distributing the cards, including two traysfor cards that are moved with a motor and a belt; one of the traysdistributing cards face-up into the player's bins and the other trayholding cards intended for the machine hand face down withoutdistributing them into the bins.
 70. The gaming machine of claim 65,comprising an optical and logical system for determining suit and valueof the cards in order to compare the player's hand with the machine'shand.
 71. The gaming machine of claim 65, comprising a calculatingdevice and a computer program, to determine winning hand and, if theplayer wins, to pay winnings by changing data on the status bar on themachine's monitor.
 72. The gaming machine of claim 65, comprising adevice for providing music, sounds and video effects during the game.73. The gaming machine of claim 65, comprising several input deviceswith functional buttons and separate monitors for simultaneous playingby several players, wherein a playing combination in each of player'shand is compared only with a playing combination of the machine's hand.74. The method of playing the gaming machine of claim 65, wherein theplayer and the machine take turns making bets, and during each turn theplayer and the machine have three options to continue the game: folding,seeing, or raising the bet.
 75. The method of claim 74, wherein beforethe player's turn, the distributing mechanism may add cards for apredetermined price to the player's hand by placing cards from theshuffling mechanism into the player's tray, and from the player's trayinto the player's bins.
 76. The method of claim 74, wherein, whenchoosing the seeing option, the player or the machine makes a bet equalto the last raise of the opponent, thereby leading to the end of bettingon current round of play and to comparison of the player's hand and themachine hand.
 77. The method of claim 76, wherein after the end ofbetting, the distributing mechanism places the cards in the machine handbins face up.
 78. The arrangement of claim 42, comprising an electronicdevice with a computer program based on the game algorithm, a randomnumber generator for projecting random hands of electronic cards ontothe monitor, and a keyboard for entering commands into the electronicdevice.
 79. The arrangement of claim 78, wherein the electronic deviceprojects on the monitor a status bar containing information about acurrent balance of the game, the amount won or lost by the player sincethe beginning of the game and the results of the current and last roundsof the game, which information is updated with every move in the game.80. The arrangement of claim 78, wherein the dealer is an electronicdealer provided by the electronic device, the electronic deviceconducting the game, making moves, uncovering winning or losing bets,comparing strength of the player's and the electronic dealer's hands,and settling up with the player after each round of play.
 81. Thearrangement of claim 78, wherein the electronic device, using the randomnumber generator, projects the image of both the player's hand of cardsand electronic dealer's hand of cards on the monitor.
 82. The method ofplaying game with arrangement of claim 78, wherein the player and theelectronic dealer make bets in turns, and during each move both theplayer and the device have three options to continue the game: folding,seeing or raising the bet.
 83. The method of claim 82, wherein theoption raising the bet is prohibited after the player or the electronicdealer has already bet the maximum wager.
 84. The method of claim 78,wherein several players can play at once, each of them having a separatemonitor and a device for entering commands.
 85. The arrangement of claim78, comprising a monitor responding to touch having functional buttonsreflected on the screen and corresponding to commands such as: “Play”,“Raise”, “Cancel”, “Repeat”, “Buy”, “Bet”, “Payout”, “Fold” and others.86. The method of claim 78, wherein players may participate in the gameon a local set taking a role of the electronic dealer.
 87. The method ofclaim 78, wherein players can participate in the game on the Internet.